by Dawn Umrie
“Sure, I’m getting ready to leave, too. I’ve got an appointment to get my hair and nails done for tonight. So, I’ll see you there, okay?”
“Absolutely, thanks, again.”
She smiles and gives me a wiggle of her fingers before walking out the door with an exaggerated sway of her hips.
The only hips I want to see swaying are Merissa’s, preferably naked.
I’ve confirmed tonight’s times with my driving service, so I send out a text to let Merissa know.
ME: Picking you up at 6:00 tonight. I can’t wait to see you in the snakeskin dress with the hot pink boa. ;)
MERISSA: Can’t wait to see if you’ve decided to match.
ME: Guess you’ll have to wait a few hours to find out.
MERISSA: tsk tsk
ME: See you soon, beautiful.
MERISSA: Hug
Merissa
I’m afraid that I might ruin my very intricate braided up-do or chip my French mani/pedi. I have just an hour left before he gets here. So far, so good. Seth had also set up an appointment for this morning at the same spa that Brook, and I had gone to, not knowing this until the boutique owner handed me an envelope with the appointment card inside. Seth also took care of everything as promised at Magnolia’s, including jewelry, shoes, and a small beaded clutch bag. All this spoiled treatment is beyond anything I could have imagined in my wildest dreams, but the truth is—I just want the man.
Stepping into my gown, I have never seen anything so gorgeous. It’s a black floor length dress with intricate patterns of sparkling beads that run down a single illusion, nude sleeve and along the contrasting panel that stretches down one side. The two-tone coloration of nude and black enhances the asymmetrical design.
I stare at myself in the mirror and hardly recognize the reflection looking back at me as I turn from side to side, then face the back while looking over my shoulder. I go over to my dresser and remove the rhinestone chandelier earrings out of their velvet box, the only jewelry I will be wearing, and stand close to the mirror to put them in.
I glance at the 6-inch matching peep-toe pumps and decide against putting them on until the very last minute, although the woman at the boutique said that Jimmy Choo’s were very comfortable.
Yeah. I’m not buying it, and neither are my feet, but they are crazy beautiful.
After I place the second back onto my earring, I sweep the shoes up and place them in my right hand so that I could hold the bottom of my gown in my left going down the stairs. I glance at the clock above the fireplace and see that it’s already 10 minutes until 6, which means…
Shit. Shit. Shit.
My stomach just got the message and decided to start a party in there without me. No sooner do I set my shoes down, when I see a dark figure in front of the door.
My dark knight has arrived.
I smile and wave to him while he had his fist ready to knock on the door.
Holy God, he should come with a defibrillator.
Opening the door, he’s standing there looking every bit like sin’s bad brother. He’s dressed in a three-piece tux, foregoing the bow tie for a black silk tie with a crisp white dress shirt underneath. With his hair in its usual perfect disarray, a sideways smirk on his face and his eyes shining like sapphires, I find myself at a loss for words.
“I see you’ve decided against the snakeskin—” he says with a smile that makes his eyes have the tiniest of lines next to them. “But what I do see is the most stunningly beautiful woman I’ve ever set eyes on.”
Feeling the heat work its way yet again up my neck. “Maybe the snakeskin for another time.” I laugh, nervously. “Thank you, and you look incredibly handsome, too.”
“Thank you. Not just for the compliment, but for what I already anticipate will be one of the best nights. Shall we?”
I take my clutch off the chair and place it in my left hand while he reaches for my right. I could see the silver cufflink with the letter V engraved on it as his jacket sleeve moves. I automatically place my much smaller hand in his immediately feeling an electrical charge from the contact. Wondering if he could feel it, too, he locks his eyes with mine, almost in answer.
He lets go of my hand just long enough for me to lock the front door and place the single key inside my bag. We walk side by side over to the shiny black limo parked in my driveway. Even with my heels, he’s still at least a half of a foot taller than I am, making me feel even more feminine than I already do.
The driver is standing with the back door open, a serious look on his face as he wishes me a good evening before we climb in and he closes it behind us. We’re sitting so close that our arms are touching one another’s, and the connection is making me hyper-aware of every little movement that he makes—
Every inhale… every exhale.
Seth lifts my hand from my lap and intertwines his fingers through mine, bringing them to his mouth and brushing his lips across my knuckles. I’m helpless to do anything but stare at his lips touching my skin before he places our adjoining hands on top of his leg. The masculine scent of him surrounds me like a cocoon, adding to my sensory overload.
Clearing my throat gently, I choose a safe topic, one that I’m also interested in, to get me out of this lust-filled haze. “I didn’t ask you what charity money is being raised for.”
He rubs his thumb back and forth over my heart tattoo. “Tonight, we’ll be raising money for educational scholarships.”
“That’s wonderful. I hope it raises a lot of money for a really terrific cause.”
“That it is. I’ll be happy if it tops last year’s $500,000.”
My eyes go wide, “Wow, that’s awesome.”
He smiles and picks up our hands again and turns them. “Tell me about your heart tattoo?”
Catching me slightly off guard, I begin, “Growing up, my mother always seemed to have a unique way of giving me advice. She once told me to protect my heart and to lock it up until someone earns the key. It stuck with me, just like this tattoo I have here.” I held my hand over the beadwork of the dress. “You can’t see it, but it’s of our solar system, which I’ve always had a fascination with, but my mom would always tell me to look up at it, remember that there is an entire universe beyond it.” I’m proud of myself for holding it together while I told him.
I know that he could visibly see how those words affected me, but instead of digging deeper or consoling me in some way, he did one better. “Maybe you could show me that solar system some time.” He said with a wink.
And just like that, he made me laugh… so that I wouldn’t cry.
The limo stopped in front of the large convention center where the charity function is being held. People are gathered in front, dressed in their Sunday best, or in this case, their Saturday best. A river of red carpeting leads to the main doors like a Hollywood movie premiere. The driver opens the door to my right and extends his hand to help me out, Seth follows right behind me.
Feeling excited, but also out of my element, I reach for Seth’s hand very much like a child does with a parent when they’re feeling overwhelmed. He squeezes my hand and bends down, brushing his lips close to my ear and whispers.
“It’s just you and me, sweetheart.” He backs away while his index finger points to me, then back to him.
How does he do that? I smile up at him in thanks, and we begin walking the red pathway.
“Mr. Vastola, Good evening. I’m from the Weekender. May I take your picture for my article?”
“Sure.” He pulls me close to his side and places his arm around my back, while we pose until the flashbulb nearly blinds us.
“The name of your lovely date, Sir?”
I stand there, not knowing the proper etiquette of giving my name when Seth responds. “Ms. Manolas.”
“Thank you and have a good evening.”
“You, too,” I respond while Seth gives him a sharp nod.
We walk into a huge lobby and follow the roped off area that leads to a set o
f open double doors. In front of them, is some type of security guard, matching each person’s I.D to a list on a clipboard He doesn’t even glance at the paper when we approach him.
“Good evening, Mr. Vastola. Have a good event.”
“Good evening, Mark. I’m sure we will, thank you.”
I smile at the man who’s the size of a refrigerator as he steps away from the opening to let us by.
We took just a few steps in before I stopped and gaped at a room that could have been in a castle rather than a convention center. The walls are a soft shade of aqua, ornate paintings housed in thick gilded frames all around the room. Large gold chandeliers with crystal accents adding a golden hue to everything in it. The tables are set meticulously with cream-colored tablecloths, gold plate chargers, and the finest looking china. In the center are arrangements with red roses, and too many candles to count. Each table appears to hold at least eight chairs of shiny gold with black tapestry seats.
Seth brushes his fingers over the back of my neck and I feel a shiver make its way down my spine. Barely getting the words out of my mouth, I say, “Sorry, I’m in awe of this room, it’s stunning.”
Now, sliding his hand from my neck down over the part of my back that is exposed. “It pales in comparison to your beauty.”
It is just you and me.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Seth
I’d sensed a little apprehension on her part during the ride here and before we walked into this main hall. Having been to enough of these types of events to last a lifetime, I could understand her discomfort, but it still bothers me to see it in her actions, to hear it in her voice.
However, standing beside her now, and witnessing her eyes glimmer in appreciation is a magnificent sight. I allow her this long pause, a newness I’m fortunate to experience through her eyes, since my dates only seemed to care about themselves and how they were regarded by others in the room.
While running my fingertips gently across her graceful neck, feeling the softest of skin, she looks up at me as if I’d awakened her from a dream, when I feel like I’m falling into one right now.
She apologizes, believing that she’s somehow holding us up, but I was just as lost in the moment as she was, just in another way that is unfamiliar to me.
My hand makes a slow journey down her back, her unusually cut dress granting me the pleasure. I feel the sudden rise of goosebumps on her skin, loving how responsive she is to my touch.
“There he is, the man behind the curtain. Another beautiful event, thanks to you.” Trish pops the bubble I was in.
“Thanks, Trish, you look lovely. “I say to her and then kiss her cheek.
“This old thing.” She says with a laugh. “Merissa, hi, I didn’t know that you’d be here. Your dress is really beautiful.”
I never understood why some women compliment the dress and not the woman in it.
“Hi, so is yours,” Merissa replies.
“I’ll see you two over at our table, then.” She says and then walks away.
“Have you known Trish very long?” Merissa says with interest.
“I’ve known her for about 6 or 7 years now. She’s done most of the interior designing for my businesses and penthouse.”
With the cutest smile, she says, “Your penthouse, huh? How ritzy.”
Her down to earth nature is probably the main quality that attracts me to her the most. It’s not only refreshing, but somewhat of an eye-opener for me. Other than my family, I haven’t truly let anyone SEE me… until her.
Just me.
The guy behind the smoke and mirrors.
I smirk at her and bend my finger to tell her to come closer. I’ve never been one to beat around the bush. If there’s something on my mind, I say it… or in this case, I ask.
“Would you like to find out just how ritzy it is… tonight?”
She looks into my eyes for a few seconds. Mine leave hers to follow her lips as they part ever so slightly. She surprises me when she says, “Perhaps.”
This is going to be the longest night known to man when I’d much rather scoop her up and throw her over my shoulder like a caveman. I could skip the pomp and circumstance and donate the money myself.
“That sounds more like a yes, than a no,” I say while holding her wrist over her pulse point, feeling her rapid beats.
“I’d say it’s between the two, since it’s just another way to say, maybe.”
“Okay, I can work with a maybe.” My hand automatically seeks her lower back. “Come on, let’s get us a drink.”
We walk over to the bar, and I greet the D.J along the way, who’s finishing his set- up since it’s still early. Because of the formality of these types of events, you would usually find a band playing jazz or classical music, but not at mine—even though my selections had to be toned down. Everyone always seems to enjoy the difference, the older crowd probably grateful not to have to dust off their dance lesson steps, while counting 1, 2, and 3 in their heads.
The bartender greets us before asking what we’d like to drink.
“Whatever he’s having,” Merissa says.
“So, you want a shot of whiskey?” I say jokingly.
She scrunches up her nose, “Make that a glass of white wine.” She says to him.
I’ll have the same.” I wink at her.
“Red is my preference, but I don’t trust myself not to spill it all over this dress.” She turns to tell me.
“Would that be grounds to leave if that happened?” I say, enjoying teasing her.
“Uh, yeah.”
“Make that red,” I say to nobody since the bartender is out of earshot.
She throws her head back in laughter, the sound is always like a punch to my gut.
I grab both of our drinks and hand her one before making a toast. “To the word, perhaps. May it change to a yes?”
She touches my glass with hers, “Yes.”
Merissa
We’re sitting at our table, just having finished the best food I’ve ever eaten, which ended with a delectable dessert that defied the laws of gravity. Seth introduced me to several people, the unmistakable respect, and admiration they held for him showing in their demeanor.
A loud tap sounding through the speakers has everyone turning their heads in the direction of the dance floor, where a distinguished gentleman with silver hair speaks into a microphone.
“Good evening everyone.”
The people’s responses sound almost orchestrated. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank, first and foremost, the man who started up the Vastola Scholarship Fund, and who also made this charity gala a success for the second year in a row, Mr. Seth Vastola.”
The room stands and erupts into applause while Seth gets up and nods in acceptance. He looked over at me and winks. Anyone who thinks that a wink is a simple non-verbal gesture has never been winked at by this man.
After the speech ended, I excuse myself to go to the ladies’ room while many people make their way over to the dance floor, since the music had begun playing again.
“Would you like me to walk you over?” Seth stood from his seat when I did.
“You’re so sweet, but, no, stay and chat, I won’t be long.”
Prince charming move the hell over.
I’m sure the women who are staring daggers at me this evening will appreciate my absence for a while. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t even notice, and I can’t say I blame them. Seth in a tux is a sight to behold.
Leaving the stall, I walk over to the sink to wash my hands. Seth’s P.A—damn, what was her name, it begins with a, J—Janet? Janice?
She looks over at me while she applies her bright red lipstick. “Hi, again, Larissa.”
Apparently, I’m not the only one guilty of not remembering a name, however, I had the decency not to speak a wrong one.
“Hi, again, to you, my name is Merissa,” I say with a bit of a forced smile.
She pauses and looks at me in the mirror while pla
cing the cap back on. “Merissa, my apologies. We probably won’t meet again, but it was nice meeting you anyway,” she says as she pushes on the door and exits before I could respond.
“You, too, whatever the hell your name is,” I say to myself as I walk back into the hall, not wanting to take the time to scrutinize what she said any further because the most handsome man is closing the distance between us.
“You, okay?” He examines my face since that’s where my emotions can be read as if they’ve been written with a bright marker.
“More than.” I smile because that’s the truth.
“Good, because I promised you a dance with yours truly,” he says with a sparkle in his eyes the color of a stormy sea in this light.
“And, I’m holding you to it.”
He silently offers me his arm, one eyebrow raised in request, as if I have a choice when my heart already accepted. I wrap my hand around his large bicep and allow him to lead me to the dance floor that is now filled. He reaches his arm around my back and pulls me into his hard body, gripping my hand in his.
The song, “You and Me” by Lifehouse plays a song that, after tonight, will take on a different meaning.
I look up into his eyes, my mind catching up to the title of the song and how it connects to what he said to me outside. “Seth, this song—"
“The D.J is on my payroll, remember?” A sly smirk crosses his face while the pad of his thumb sweeps back and forth… and back and forth. Not unlike that of a swinging clock putting one into a trance-like state, only my heartbeat quickens instead of slowing down.
We sway gently in time to the music, while my face is cradled between his neck and shoulder blade… the headiest of feelings. He brushes his cheek against mine as the song comes to the end.
“Sweetheart.” He whispers in my ear.
Staying in place, not yet ready to break contact.
“Mm, hmm?”
“I’m ready to get out of here so I could make you feel special.”